127 O.C. schools earn perfect scores in state rankings

Dylan Oliver, 10, center, celebrates after correctly answering a question during a California Gold Rush simulation quiz in Liz Ramos' fourth grade class at Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa. Davis Magnet received a statewide API rank of 10. The highest a school can receive.LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Perfect 10s

Thirty-three O.C. schools scored perfect 10s on the API 2012 statewide ranking and on the API's similar schools measure, which compares campuses with schools facing similar socio-economic challenges. They are:

One in five Orange County schools earned a perfect score this year on California's Academic Performance Index statewide rankings, a calculation that shows how local schools measure up against schools across the state.

"Our schools continue to do extremely well," Orange County schools Superintendent Al Mijares, said. "O.C. rises to the top and we lead the state in many ways."

Schools are ranked statewide with a number from 1 to 10 based on their 2012 API scores – a composite of standardized tests taken in spring 2012. The state also issues a similar school score, which judges how each campus ranks against schools with similar demographic challenges.

Sycamore Elementary School in Orange Unified, for example, which has 71 percent English language learners, earned a 5 in the statewide ranking, but scored a perfect 10 when compared with similar schools.

That was a cause of celebration at Sycamore, where the staff has significantly expanded intervention efforts in the last two years. The school offers afterschool math instruction, English language acquisition assistance and Saturday school.

Sycamore has increased parent involvement, too, with about 200 parents participating in a nine-week series of parenting classes in the last two years. The classes, offered in Spanish, provide parents with information about school testing, discipline and how to get their children into college.

"It's just exciting that what we are doing for our kids is working," Principal Erika Krohn said.

Last year, 131 of 560 schools in Orange County earned a ranking of 10 in the statewide comparison, while about half of local schools earned a score of eight or higher.

Newport-Mesa Unified's Davis Magnet school in Costa Mesa was one of four schools to climb the ranks and snag perfect 10s in both state and similar school categories this year. In all, 33 local schools earned double 10s.

"This really is a motivating tool to continue to push us to be better each year," Principal Christy Flores said.

Oxford Preparatory Academy in Mission Viejo also earned perfect scores in both categories this year – after its first year of testing.

Middle College High School in Santa Ana was one of 15 local schools to score perfect 10s in both categories for four years in a row. Last year, the school posted an API score of 906 – out of 1,000 possible – is aiming even higher this year.

"The students are trying to beat their own record right now," Principal Claudia Flint said. "That is exactly the place you want to see students, because they are really competitive, but the best way is to be internally competitive."

Not all news in the rankings was good. While many schools continue to climb up the ranks, 135 in the county ranked below average with a state score of 4 or less.

Dylan Oliver, 10, center, celebrates after correctly answering a question during a California Gold Rush simulation quiz in Liz Ramos' fourth grade class at Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa. Davis Magnet received a statewide API rank of 10. The highest a school can receive. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Liz Ramos, a fourth grade teacher at Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa gets into character as she questions students during a California Gold Rush simulation quiz. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sixth grade students at Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa, from left, Steven Manfredi, Arman Kayhan-Mahd, and Jake Simko, all 12-years old, do research on net books for a volcanos project to be presented at an upcoming open house. Davis Magnet received a statewide API rank of 10. The highest a school can receive. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Kindergarten students at Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa listen as teacher James Christman reads to them. Davis Magnet received a statewide API rank of 10. The highest a school can receive. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Reece Reegan, 8, right, a third grader in Kim Dowdy's class at Davis Magnet school in Costa Mesa works on a math program in the school's computer lab. Davis Magnet received a statewide API rank of 10. The highest a school can receive. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Trey Wilborn, left, reacts after answering incorrectly during a California Gold Rush simulation quiz in Liz Ramos' 4th grade class at Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa. Davis received a statewide API rank of 10. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Davis Magnet School kindergarten teacher James Christman, right, reads to his students. Davis Magnet received a statewide API rank of 10. The highest a school can receive. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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